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Evacuations in US ahead of Hurricane Florence

The US state of Georgia declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Florence made its way across the Atlantic to the US southeastern coast. More than 1.5 million people have been told to leave their homes.

In pictures: Hurricane Florence

Staring down the eye of the storm

"Ever stared down the gaping eye of a Category 4 hurricane? It's chilling, even from space," German astronaut Alexander Gerst wrote of Hurricane Florence on Twitter. The hurricane was later downgraded to a Category 2 storm.

In pictures: Hurricane Florence

Extremely dangerous storm

The Category 2 storm on the five-point Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is expected to cause storm surges and massive flooding across the southeastern US. The National Hurricane Center has described Florence as an extremely dangerous and life-threatening storm.

In pictures: Hurricane Florence

Boarding up

More than 10 million people in the Carolinas and Virginia were under hurricane watches or warnings. More than 1.7 million people in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia were urged to flee coastal areas. Homes and stores across the region were boarded up ahead of Florence’s landfall.

In pictures: Hurricane Florence

Hunkering down

Residents across the region stocked up on food, water and gasoline. Power in some areas may be out for days or weeks, authorities warned.

In pictures: Hurricane Florence

It's a big one

US President Donald Trump said the federal government would help states in Florence's path. Trump urged residents in impacted areas to stay safe. "Don't play games with it. It's a big one...bad things can happen when you're talking
about a storm this size." Trump has come under fire for his handling of Hurricane Maria, which killed some 3,000 people in Puerto Rico last year.

In pictures: Hurricane Florence

Staring down the eye of the storm

"Ever stared down the gaping eye of a Category 4 hurricane? It's chilling, even from space," German astronaut Alexander Gerst wrote of Hurricane Florence on Twitter. The hurricane was later downgraded to a Category 2 storm.

In pictures: Hurricane Florence

Extremely dangerous storm

The Category 2 storm on the five-point Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is expected to cause storm surges and massive flooding across the southeastern US. The National Hurricane Center has described Florence as an extremely dangerous and life-threatening storm.

In pictures: Hurricane Florence

Boarding up

More than 10 million people in the Carolinas and Virginia were under hurricane watches or warnings. More than 1.7 million people in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia were urged to flee coastal areas. Homes and stores across the region were boarded up ahead of Florence’s landfall.

In pictures: Hurricane Florence

Hunkering down

Residents across the region stocked up on food, water and gasoline. Power in some areas may be out for days or weeks, authorities warned.

In pictures: Hurricane Florence

It's a big one

US President Donald Trump said the federal government would help states in Florence's path. Trump urged residents in impacted areas to stay safe. "Don't play games with it. It's a big one...bad things can happen when you're talking
about a storm this size." Trump has come under fire for his handling of Hurricane Maria, which killed some 3,000 people in Puerto Rico last year.

Storm surges up to 3.9 meters (13 feet), the possibility of tornados and almost a meter of rain in some areas of North and South Carolina were expected when Hurricane Florence makes landfall late Thursday.

Although the storm has been designated Category 2 rather than 4, emergency services were warning it could hit the coast with the force of a "Mike Tyson punch."

Early Wednesday afternoon in North Carolina, the storm was centered 700 kilometers (435 miles) off the coast, moving at 26 kph (16 mph) towards the US coastline.

Jeff Byard, the associate administrator for response and recovery at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said on Wednesday: "This is not going to be a glancing blow," as he warned of power outages, road closures, infrastructure damage and potential loss of life.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said: "Florence is still forecast to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane when it nears the US coast late Thursday and Friday."

Residents and business owners were securing their properties before heading for safety

Governor Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency for the state of Georgia: "in light of the storm's forecasted southward track after making landfall."

"The state is mobilizing all available resources to ensure public safety," Deal said. "I encourage Georgians to be prepared for the inland effects of the storm as well as the ensuing storm surge in coastal areas."

Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington states have all already declared states of emergency ahead of the storm.